Stories from Tuesday, February 9, 2016

The Delta High School Student Council participates in various volunteer activities during the school year including the Polar Bear Plunge to benefit Special Olympics. This year 28 students and their sponsor raised the minimum of $75 to rise to the challenge of raising money for Missouri Special Olympics....

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- At halftime it had all the makings of another thrilling game, mirroring a recent meeting in the Stoddard County Activities Association Tournament. But the Advance boys basketball had revenge on its mind and no interest in another barnburner...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- As opioid overdoses increasingly draw attention in Congress and statehouses across the U.S., Missouri lawmakers are again considering a proposal for a prescription monitoring program that would bring the state in line with all others...

More than a year after the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of a Cape Girardeau city noise ordinance, the case remains pending in federal court. Attorneys for both sides say the issue could be decided within the next few weeks. Both sides have asked U.S. District Judge Carol Jackson to issue a summary judgment...

The Missouri Department of Transportation will spend much of the next year upgrading all existing sidewalks along East and West Jackson Boulevard. Public Works director Rodney Bollinger said roughly six miles of sidewalk will be upgraded. The narrow, uneven asphalt path that's used as a sidewalk isn't a sidewalk at all, according to MoDOT...

Noranda Aluminum Holding Corp. has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, the company announced Monday via news release. In the same release, Noranda announced an expected curtailing of production at the New Madrid, Missouri, aluminum smelter beginning in March...

Today is Shrove (preceding Ash Wednesday) Tuesday, Feb. 9, the 40th day of 2016. There are 326 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On Feb. 9, 1943, the World War II battle of Guadalcanal in the southwest Pacific ended with an Allied victory over Japanese forces...

Ray Green, associate pastor at Victory Outreach in Cape Girardeau, saws a piece of wood for the altar as Paul McClain, a member of the church, watches, Monday, Feb. 15, 2016.

TOKYO -- Here's a bit of Super Bowl trivia: North Korea's newest satellite passed almost right over the stadium just an hour after it ended. Whatever motives Pyongyang may have about using its rocket launches to develop nuclear-tipped long-range missiles, it has two satellites circling the Earth, according to NORAD, the North American Aerospace Command, which monitors all satellites in orbit...

CHICAGO -- For more than a year after an officer shot and killed a black teen named Laquan McDonald, the Chicago Police Department had video footage that raised serious doubts about whether other officers at the scene tried in their reports to cover up what prosecutors now contend was murder...

WASHINGTON -- Attorney General Loretta Lynch plans to visit six cities in the coming months to highlight police departments she sees as role models for law enforcement. The locations were chosen because they embody a particular trait of successful policing, such as effective use of data, strong community relationships or a commitment to officer safety, Lynch said Monday...

DETROIT -- Electronic gear shifters on some newer Fiat Chrysler SUVs and cars are so confusing that drivers have exited the vehicles with the engines running and while they are still in gear, causing crashes and some serious injuries, U.S. safety investigators have determined...

Jackson shows its support for local men and women serving in the military in Operation Desert Storm with a parade. The event is sponsored by the Jackson American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. BENTON, Mo. -- Scott County commissioners have ruled out building a new jail and sheriff's office at this time, arguing it's unlikely voters would approve a new tax to fund it; county commissioners, however, are studying a plan which calls for purchasing the county health center building in Benton for use as the sheriff's office.. ...

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Verona L. Wilder, 77, of Marble Hill passed away Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. She was born Feb. 22, 1938, in Marble Hill, the daughter of Marvin Roscoe and Ruby Leadbetter Shanks. She and Leonard T. "Corky" Wilder were united in marriage July 10, 1971, and he passed away Jan. 20, 1997...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Catherine Mary Ellis, 92, of Perryville died Monday, Feb. 8, 2016, at Independence Care Center of Perry County in Perryville. She was born Feb. 1, 1924, in St. Louis, the daughter of Joseph and Marie (Hogard) Erlacker. She and Harold Ellis were married Feb. 7, 1942. He preceded her in death May 26, 1997...

Hazel Nadine Wadlington, 98, of Scott City went to be with the Heavenly Father on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016. She was born Aug. 17, 1917, in Bell City, Missouri, daughter of Everett and Lula Patterson Bollinger. She married Robert Winfred Wadlington on July 1, 1938, in Fornfelt, Missouri. He preceded her in death July 2, 1999...

Lester "Buddy" Gene Wright, 80, of Jackson passed away Monday, Feb. 8, 2016, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. He was born Aug. 8, 1935, in Cape Girardeau, the son of Oscar and Minnie Hoffmeister Wright. He and Nancy Miner were married Jan. 30, 1982, at Maple United Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau...

ST. LOUIS -- A St. Louis utility company is pushing back on the federal government's plan to cut carbon-dioxide emissions. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported although Ameren Missouri hasn't filed a court challenge, the utility asked the Environmental Protection Agency to prevent implementation of the regulations and propose new ones...

ST. LOUIS -- A man convicted of a 1994 homicide in St. Louis plans to appeal his case after finding video evidence of an interview with his trial's only eyewitness. Leron Hornaday, who was sentenced to life in prison in the death of 16-year-old Travis Smith, received evidence through his 2013 request to St. Louis police for materials from the investigation...

FERGUSON, Mo. -- Ferguson's cost of implementing reforms spelled out in a consent agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice could approach $4 million in the first year alone, according to new estimates that raise questions of whether the community can afford it...

SALEM, N.H. -- Eyeing their first wins in a capricious campaign, Republican Donald Trump lashed out at his opponents Monday, while Democrat Bernie Sanders sought to play it safe on the eve of the nation's initial primary. GOP contenders vying for second and third saw fresh hopes for survival after New Hampshire as both parties settled in for a drawn-out slog to the nomination...

WASHINGTON -- The wife of a senior Islamic State leader who was killed in a U.S. raid last year has been charged in federal court with holding American Kayla Mueller hostage and with contributing to the aid worker's death, the Justice Department said Monday...

BEIRUT -- Syrian army troops recaptured a new village north of Aleppo Monday, bringing troops and allied militiamen to within a few miles of the Turkish border as part of a major Russian-backed offensive in the area, the Syrian government and opposition activists said...

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- Saudi Arabia's offer to send troops to fight Islamic State in Syria is as much about the kingdom's growing determination to flex its military might as it is about answering U.S. calls for more help from its allies in the Middle East...

DETROIT -- One lawsuit seeks to replace lead-leaching water lines at no cost to customers. Another seeks money for thousands of Flint residents who unwittingly drank toxic water. A third complaint has been filed on behalf of people with Legionnaires' disease...

DALLAS -- A lock of hair snipped from the head of John Lennon as the Beatle prepared for a film role is expected to sell for $10,000 at an auction this month. Heritage Auctions said in a news release Monday the 4-inch lock was collected by a German hairdresser who trimmed Lennon's hair before he started shooting "How I Won the War."...

SAN FRANCISCO -- On top of his game and now the world, Von Miller's docket is quickly filling up. A parade. Lots of parties. A princely payday. "I was just talking to Coach Kubiak, I was asking if you could make the plane do backflips on the way home," Miller said Monday after accepting the Super Bowl MVP trophy from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell...

SEATTLE -- When Marshawn Lynch was brought to Seattle early in the 2010 season, he was acquired because the Seahawks desperately needed a running back. What he ended up providing was an attitude and style that became the foundation for bringing the first Super Bowl title to the Pacific Northwest...

A New Madrid, Missouri, man was arrested Friday on suspicion of molesting a 12-year-old girl in Sikeston, Missouri. Demetrio Hernandez-Garcia, 33, is charged with felony statutory sodomy and child molestation. The girl told a school counselor about the incident and also told officers at the Beacon Health Center that Hernandez-Garcia kissed her, placed his hand on her genitals and made her touch his genitals, according to a probable-cause report. ...

A Chaffee, Missouri, man reportedly admitted to stealing prescription drugs and jewelry from his aunt and uncle's house in Oran, Missouri. Joshua L. Dennis, 31, was arrested by Oran police and charged with felony counts of second-degree burglary and theft...

Gene Tyrone Wren, 36, of Cape Girardeau pleaded guilty to one count of felony possession with the intent to distribute crack cocaine and was sentenced to eight years in the Missouri Department of Corrections by Judge Benjamin Lewis. Wren originally was charged with two counts of intent to distribute a controlled substance and felony possession of a controlled substance stemming from an arrest May 20 in Cape Girardeau...

A federal disaster recovery center has opened in Cape Girardeau to aid people and businesses affected by the recent, winter flood. Housed at the Salvation Army, 701 Good Hope St., the center officially opens today. It will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday. The center will be closed Sunday, FEMA officials said...

What began Monday as a plea deal reducing a felony charge to a misdemeanor may end up with the defendant receiving another felony charge on top of the charges he faces. Larry Gene Hottel, 44, of Whitewater originally was charged with felony second-degree domestic assault, felony unlawful use of a weapon and felony resisting arrest from incidents Thanksgiving afternoon and evening...

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- A Poplar Bluff native appeared in a Michelob Ultra's Super Bowl 2016 spot after kickoff Sunday. Chelsea Edmundson played one of the characters in the workout-themed, 30-second spot promoting the beer, titled "Breathe" during Sunday's game. Edmundson also appeared in the movie "Camera Phone" and recently a Burger King commercial...

Up 34-30 heading into the final eight minutes of the game, the Cape Central girls basketball could not hold on as it dropped a close 45-40 conference road contest to Kennett, 45-40, on Monday night in Kennett, Missouri. Abbie Reece sank 13 points as the Tigers fell in the high-fouling loss to the Indians...

Timothy Lamar Randle, 34, of Cape Girardeau and Toria Lawrence, no age given, were identified as the occupants of the U-Haul pickup truck that crashed and burned after a Jan. 27 chase on County Road 638 by Cape Girardeau police officers. Randle was arrested and charged with second-degree burglary, resisting arrest, possession of burglar tools and possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, all felonies. As of Monday afternoon, there were no charges filed against Lawrence...

Motorist David Clary is at the center of a legal battle brought by the American Civil Liberties Union over the constitutionality of Cape Girardeau's noise ordinance. The following is part of Clary's deposition, which was taken Jan. 26, 2015. The deposition is among the legal documents filed in connection with the case in U.S. District Court in Cape Girardeau...

The theme of this year's Polar Plunge may have been "Be a a Below-Zero Superhero," but participants were treated to a little milder weather than normal. The event, which took place Saturday afternoon, is the biggest fundraiser for Special Olympics athletes in Southeast Missouri. ...

This year will mark 45 years since the Golden Eagles marching band performed at the half-time show in Super Bowl V. I want to bring attention to the significance this program has had on its past and present students. It’s an honor to say I was part of such an exemplary program...

O Lord Jesus, may we be intentional about sharing you with others. Amen.

Whoever first said "politics is a blood sport" hit the nail on the head. This 2016 presidential election cycle is Exhibit A, at least on the Republican side. Democrats might actually belie that assertion, as Sen. Bernie Sanders is clearly unwilling to hit Hillary Clinton where it hurts, choosing, instead, to give her a pass on the one thing that is probably her greatest vulnerability: her "damn emails." How sweet...

JACKSON The Jackson Police Department released the following items. Summonses n Merideth A. Pobst, 35, of Jackson was issued a summons for a stop-sign violation. n Samuel R. Farris, 17, of Jackson was issued a summons for failure to register a motor vehicle...

WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama is asking Congress for more than $1.8 billion in emergency funding to fight the Zika virus and the mosquitoes that spread it here and abroad but said "there shouldn't be a panic on this." The virus is spreading rapidly through Latin America. ...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster said he reached a deal to restore $50 million in tobacco-settlement money in exchange for legislators tightening laws on small tobacco companies.

Son to Anthony Joseph Grojean II and Ashley Dawn Acup of Chaffee, Missouri, Saint Francis Medical Center, 6:27 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016. Name, Bretly Anthony Joseph. Weight, 5 pounds, 14 ounces. First child. Acup is the daughter of Stan and Deborah Acup of Marble Hill, Missouri. She is a substitute teacher. Grojean is the son of Tammy McLemore of Marble Hill and Andy Grojean of Whitewater. He is a welder with Armor Lite Trailers...

CAPE GIRARDEAU The Cape Girardeau Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. Arrests n Ryan Irions, 21, was arrested at 1006 N. Frederick St., Apt. B, on suspicion of resisting a lawful detention. n A suspect was in custody pending formal charges of domestic assault, assault and trespassing...

Christina Von Linden, 54, of Cape Girardeau died Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. There will be no local services. Crain Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau is in charge of arrangements.

FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, Ill. -- Melva D. (Kreyling) Duvall, 89, of Fairview Heights and formerly of Altenburg, Missouri, died Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016, at Caseyville Nursing and Rehab in Caseyville, Illinois. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Altenburg...

Mary Ella Jackson, 86, of Cape Girardeau died Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016, at Ratliff Care Center in Cape Girardeau. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Gent Funeral Home, 2409 State St., Alton, Illinois. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Milton L. Renaud, 91, of Perryville died Monday, Feb. 1, 2016, at Perryville. Visitation will be from 8 to 11 a.m. Monday at Our Lady of Victory Church in Sereno, Missouri. Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the church. Entombment will be at Mary Queen of Heavens Mausoleum, with military honors courtesy of the American Legion and the Delta Team...

IRWIN, Pa. -- Authorities say a man stole several police badges while he was being held for questioning in a domestic dispute. Police said Robert Dingeldein, 26, stole the badges Oct. 30 while being questioned by police. Police said they didn't realize Dingeldein had taken anything from the office until someone else returned one of the badges last month. Police said Dingeldein has apologized and returned three other badges. He faces a preliminary hearing May 18 on theft-related charges...